Bee-hive



(Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l. l

G. K. HUBBARD.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

iGEORGE K. HUBBARD, OF LA GRANGE, INDIANA.

.BEE-HIVE.

SPECIFICATION A:forming part of Letters Patent No. 270,803, dated January 16, 183.

Application tiled September 19, 1882.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE K. HUBBARD, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at La Grange, in the county of La Grange and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bee- Hives, ofwhich the following is a specication,reference being had therein to the accompartying drawings.

My invention relates to hee-hives; and it K consists in the parts which will he hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the exterior ofthe hive. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is acentral transverse section. Fig.-4 shows a side elevation of one of the honey-comb frames, and Fig. 5 is a cross-section through the same. Fig. 6 represents in perspective a section of the tine-notched metallic plate which lies crosswise in the rear of the hive. Fig. 7 discloses in perspective a section of the coarse-notched plate which is fixed in the front upper part of the hive. Fig. 8 is a similar view ot' a plate notched in like manner. which is secured to the inner bottom side ofthe face-piece. Fig. 9 is a top view of one of the frames, showing the oblique manner in which the pins are xed into the side pieces.

In the following description similar letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

The letter A represents the cover for the hive, and A one of two pivoted perforated metallic ventilating-st-rps thereon, coveringan opening-in said top.

B is the front ofthe hive, and B is a strip on the same, similar to strip A', covering an a transverse block on the rear under side therel of, which tips the hive slightly forward, making it easier for the bees to drag out any foreign substance.

(Model.)

BT is the threshold.

C is the side door,and D is a smaller doo therein.

U is a flange on door l), and D' is a verti. cal strip on door D.

E and F F are buttons on the door C to secure the smaller door D thereon.

G G are hooks pivoted to door C. These hooks engage the eyes I I, projecting outward from the edge of the back door, H. Immediately under the door D and rigidly fixed in door C is a glass, D4. v

D2 is a small door in the rear door, H.

D3 is a vertical strip, and C2 is a flange on door D2. D5 is a glass fixed in door H, which is covered by door D2. shown, but identical with hook and eye Gr l) secures the rear door, H, to the bottom piece, B5. Said door H is hinged to the rear end of side piece, H. lt will thus be seen that by removing the small door D one is enabled to see the inner workings of the hive through the glass D, orby removing the small rear door, D2, a view is obtained of the inner back part of the hive, the glass D5 preventing the escape or disturbance ofthe bees; and, further, that by disengaging the hooks from the eyes thc doors C and H maybe thrown open, either one or both, and access .obtained to the inner part of the hive for the purpose of adjusting or removing the comb-frames, which will he more fully hereinafter described. Foursmall boxes, K, each having a glass, K, in the side and a `small bottom opening, rest on a supportingframe, S. Said frame is rectangular and provided with an inner cross-piece. Ihere is communication between the hive and boxes by means of the openings referred to. The cover A tits over the top of the hive and incloses the boxes and frame S.

L represents a notched metallic strip lying transversely on the inner back side ofthe hive. Said strip is rigidly secured by suitable means to the bottom piece, B5. Said strip is righ*- angled. The vertical piece thereof, which is in the rear, abuts against a ledge, L.

M and N are notched metallic strips-fixed to the inner side of the front piece, B. The plate M has a right-angled flange thereon, by means of which a connection is made. The notches A hook and eye (not ICO are on the horizontal part. (Shown in Figs. 2 Y

and S.) rIhe strip N is fixed on the inner side of front piece, B, near the top otl the hive, the notched part projecting upward. It is adapted to engage and secure the frame-pins.

O O represent the honey-comb frames.

P and Q are two rectangular metallic loops on the under side of the frame-front and rear, respectively.

RRare two pins on the front and back pieces, respectively, ot` the frame, driven in slightly angularto facilitate the swinging of the frames when the side door, C, is opened. By means of thepins and loops on the frames, said frames are secured in position in the hive and rendered susceptible ofadjustment in the notched strips. By driving the pins into the sides of the frame obliquely said frames can bemore easily swung out, and will swing round farther than if they were driven in straight. When the frames are thus hung there is no danger ot' killing the bees when the frames are swung out. If the pins were drivenv straight into the middle of the end pieces otl the frame, the corners of the frame would catch and prevent the swinging of the same.

I am aware that hives in some respects similar to mine have been patented, in one of which the frame-sare held in place, bot-h above and below, at the front side of the hive, by hooks and screw-eyes. I have provided my hive with a notched tin, M, in which the outer end ot' the staple Q in bottom of frame is securely held. The advantage of this over the hive referred to is that, instead of having-to look carefully and to exercise a great amount ot' patience to get the bottom properly hooked,

I my frame will drop into its place below after being properly placed in its bearing N above. The advantage of this is, instead ot' having to brush the bees away from around the bearings and search carefully for the place to hang the frame, in my device I get it near where it belongs and the frame instantly places itself; and, again, instead of the wooden ledge that supports the frame at the bottom, at the rear end of the hive, as in the hive referred to, I have a very tine notched tin, L, that supports the frame by means of the staple P in the bottom. The advantage is, wherever the wooden part of a frame touches the wooden part of the hive the bees will gum it fast with propolis, making it difficult to remove it; but they show a natural aversion to metal. However, they will sometimes wax up metal; but even if they should the bearings are too delicate to permit their being waxed to the extent they would be if the whole end of the framerested upon a wooden support.

The distance between the frames in my hive can be varied. The advantage is, the combs vary in thickness, and it frequently happens that one wishes to put two thin ones close together to lnake room for a thicker one. By 'Y reason of the tine-notched tin L, which supports the rear end of frames, said frames can be accommodated to the irregularities of the comb. If the hive should be tipped sidewise, the notched plates would prevent the frames from swinging'out ot' place.

Both ends of my frame being constructed in asimilar manner, it must be obvious that said frame can be easily reversed. This is frequently desirable. When the comb becomes bulged in places, and in exchanging combsr from one hive to another, two of these thick places would often come together, making it very inconvenient to t in the frame; but by being able to reverse the comb the trouble is avoided. Another advantage derived from having an exchangeable and reversible frame is, that one can put the queen-cell on the side next the window, and can thus readily learn the day the queen will emerge without disturbing the colony.

Having thus described my invention and set forth its advantages, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a bee-hive, the tine-notched plate L,

fixed to the bottom hoard and abutting against the ledge L', and the coarse-notched plates M and N, xed to the inside of face-board B, said plates being adapted to engage the metal parts on frames 0,1or the purposes specified.

2. The frames O, provided with bottom sta-- ples,P Q, and obliqueend pins, R It, substantially as described, and for the purposes seit forth.`

3. The frames O, provided with bottom staples, P Q. and oblique pins It R, in combination with the notched plates L, M, and N, substantially as described, and t'or the purposes' set forth.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE KQHUBBARD.

Witnesses U. S. SrRoUss,

UAssiUs M. C. GRiFFITH.

IOO 

